My focus is on Kolar tourism and manufacturing units: Mallesh Babu

As the elected voice of the people of Kolar, first time JD(S) MP, M Mallesh Babu shares his deep connection and unwavering commitment to the region's development. In an exclusive interview with News Trail's Rithu Dravid, he delves into the key issues facing Kolar and his vision for the constituency he proudly represents in the halls of parliament.

You're a first time MP; your experiences in the Lok Sabha?

It is a nice experience representing Kolar. Though the Congress says Kolar is their bastion which they won five times, the then Janata Party won the seat in 1983, the Janata Dal in 1994 and the JD(S) now in 2024.

Yettinahole drinking water project was launched by the CM in Sept, 2024. How will it benefit Kolar?

This project was primarily meant for Kolar and Chikkaballapur to mitigate the problem of acute drinking water shortage. This water is being pumped by gravity to Tumakuru, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Bengaluru Rural and Ramanagara. Less water is being supplied to Kolar and Chikkaballapur with other districts claiming their share. We need a permanent water solution for Kolar either from Yettinahole or the Krishna river. This is essential for the district's development.

Has the JD(S) alliance with the BJP worked at the party workers' level in Kolar?

Yes, it has worked well. The previous MP (BJP) from Kolar has worked with me while all the MLA candidates in the eight taluks have joined hands with us and worked as a team. We have no issues whatsoever.

There are many who say JD(S) is on the decline with only 19 MLAs now. What do you suggest to revive the party?

Responsibility should be given to a leader in every district. Once this is done it will reduce the pressure and sitting MLAs, ex- MLAs and former ministers, can take care of the party performance in the districts. The JD(S) influence was a huge factor in the parliament election. There were some hiccups with candidate selection, or else we could have won 6 more seats. With the alliance with the BJP and being an NDA partner, it is much easier for the JD(S) to gain strength.

The Channapatna Assembly bypoll is coming, who is going to be the BJPJD( S) candidate?

This decision will be taken by the high command.

Kolar is a backward district, do you have any pet projects which you would like to implement in the district?

 We are working on solid waste management projects ( segregating wet and dry waste), food processing units, manufacturing industries, software organizations and most importantly promotion of tourism in Kolar. Kolar has a historic legacy of gold mines, attractive temples, caves, trekking spots etc. The tourism department has a 6 cr proposal but we need the state government's approval for the same. I have promised to take up this issue with the Union Government and get it sanctioned. I want to ensure Kolar tourism improves. We see around 500 trekkers from Bengaluru visit Kolar regularly. So we are planning to have a zipline (300 to 400 mts) as this will attract more trekkers to Kolar. Apart from this we have many famous temples- Kotilingeshwara (KGF), Kurudumale Ganesha temple, Bangaru Tirupati, Avani temple (believed to be the birthplace of twin brothers Lava and Kusha, sons of Lord Rama) that draw tourists to the district.

After the KGF gold mine closure, have the former workers been rehabilitated? How do you get industry to invest in Kolar?

They have not been rehabilitated. Everyone has been fighting to restart the mines. But there is no proposal for the same. Now, approximately 30,000 people travel from Kolar to Bengaluru and back for jobs. We have 10,000 acres of available with BGML(Bharat Gold Mines Limited) in Kolar and plenty of skilled workforce. We need to develop skill-based units either in Kolar district or Bangarpet. We need to focus on skill development which has still not happened although we have a lot of youth with IT and Diploma backgrounds. Mallur thrives as a hub of industry and innovation. The KIADB( Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board) is planning to acquire 700 acres of land for development projects. We have good road infrastructure and proximity to the international airport facilitating the workforce to operate better. So, setting up industry with the available skilled workforce will be a boon to Kolar. With the help of our union ministers, we will try and get a few big manufacturing units set up.

Our main focus is on developing food processing units as Kolar is famous for its tomato and mango produce. Srinivaspura is famous for mangoes and Kolar for tomatoes. So by setting up four to five food processing units, it will ensure the mandi owners come together and benefit. I have also had a word with the Union MSME(Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) minister of state Shobha Karandlaje about the proposal.

Once we set up 15 to 20 units, it can generate 1500 to 2000 jobs. Unfortunately, the state government is not giving any extra subsidy for this. Kolar already has a lot of companies like Mahindra Aerospace, GlaxoSmithkline, Kepler, Wistron( Narasapura), Honda and so on. We are trying to ensure that satellite townships come up. A 6-lane highway project is being proposed by NHAI from the expressway till the Andhra border.

Are there issues the silk industry is facing?

We are working on a project specific to the silk industry and hopefully it will be a major boon for weavers and manufacturers.

Kolar is a major producer and supplier of milk also, are milk farmers happy? Are they looking for a procurement price hike from the government?

Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), has come out with so many dairy products. There are around 319 BMCs (Bulk Milk Chilling Centres) in my constituency. Around 150 to 200 liters of milk is collected per village. The milk needs to be chilled and supplied to the KMF units in Kolar. As these chilling centres require adequate electricity and generators we are proposing solar units for each and every chilling centre. This will help reduce the electricity cost. The overhead charges per liter of milk to be chilled and stored is around 32 paisa and this can be saved. I have put forth this proposal to the Renewable Energy Minister- Pralhad Joshi to provide subsidy to these chilling centres. Around 320 villages will be benefited.

What about the battle with the Congress over the Muda scam, do you think Siddaramaiah will resign?

As a responsible CM and senior politico, he should step down till the probe is over. If the CM gets a clean chit, he should continue to rule the state.